Nativity of the Lord: Christmas Eve
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
December 24, 2021 Six O’Clock in the Evening
Minister: The Reverend Aaron Ochart
Please silence all cell phones..
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
GATHERING
WORDS OF WELCOME
PRELUDE
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)
Candle Lighter: We gather together tonight as those who gathered around a manger at the birth of Jesus.
Minister, Staff, and Choir: We gather as those who wish to worship fully.
Grandparents: We gather as those who wish to spend less, knowing that spending more, does not mean loving more.
Parents: We gather as those who wish to give more, more of ourselves.
Children: We gather as those who wish to give to others what we have.
(Light the Candles)
Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my savior,
for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of God’s servant.
Surely, from now on, all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is God’s name.
God’s mercy is for those who fear God
from generation to generation.
God has shown strength with his arm;
God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
God has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
God has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of God’s mercy,
according to the promise God has made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
One: We gather as the people of God to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
All: Let us worship God!
HYMN 41 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” ST. LOUIS
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark street shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ was born of Mary and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praising sing to God the king, a peace to all on earth.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessing of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us; abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
LITANY FOR CHRISTMAS
One: The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.
Many: Glory to God in the highest!
One: the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
Many: Glory to God in the highest!
One: For a child has been born for us, a Son has been given to us.
Many: Glory to God in the highest!
One: He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Many: Glory to God in the highest!
One: To us is born in the City of David a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
Many: Glory to God in the highest!
One: And the Word became flesh and lived among us.
Many: Glory to God in the highest!
Christ has been born! Give him glory!
Christ has come down from heaven! receive him!
Christ is now on earth! Exalt him!
O earth, sing to the Lord!
O you nations, praise him in joy, for he has been glorified!
Amen!
PROCLAMATION
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN “What Christmas Means”
ANTHEM “Unless You Consider the Child” Mary Kay Beall
It was an ordinary night, a night like many nights before.
It was an ordinary night, so ordinary, nothing more.
A common, ordinary night, a night like many nights you’ve known…
Unless you consider the child.
It was a simple, little town, a town like many towns before.
It was a simple, little town, a common place and nothing more.
A place you never would recall, a place so easy to forget…
Unless you consider the child.
Unless you consider the star; unless you consider the kings from afar.
Unless you consider the angels who sang, it was an ordinary night.
It was an ordinary night, and in a simple, quiet town.
A humble stable set the stage, while sheep and cattle gathered round.
There was a manger filled with hay. “So ordinary,” some would say…
Unless you consider the child, the Son, the Promised One.
Unless you consider the child.
FIRST LESSON Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
L: The Word of the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God.
HOMILY “Word made Flesh” The Rev. Aaron Ochart
RESPONSE
OFFERTORY “Angel Song” Patricia Mock and Jon Paige
Angels soar into the night singing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Fill the earth with heav’nly light singing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Tell the news to ev’ry nation. Celebrate what God has done!
Miracles are just beginning. Glory to the King! Glory to the newborn King!
Shepherds listen to the call, bringing glory to the newborn King!
Lift your voices one and all singing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
All the world as one rejoices, lifting carols of joy and praise!
Fill the earth with joyful noises. Glory to the King! Glory to the King!
Glory to the newborn King! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
All creatures greet your Lord, singing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Songs of joy have been restored! Singing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Come and join the celebration. Come and raise your voice as one!
This our cry of jubilation! Glory to the King! Glory to the newborn King!
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise…
…Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest…
According to Christ’s commandment:
We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming glory…
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
SCRIPTURE READING, John 1:1-14
CANDLE LIGHTING, and CLOSING HYMNS: (on Back)
HYMN: “Away in a Manger” MUELLER
Away in a manger; no crib for his bed,
the little Lord Jesus, lay down his sweet head.
The stars in bringt sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
“Silent Night, Holy Night” STILLE NACHT
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright
‘round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake a the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia:
Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Silent night, holy night! wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King:
Christ the Savior is born; Christ the savior is born.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION